A Guide to Teaching Research Methods in Psychology

A Guide to Teaching Research Methods in Psychology provides instructors with a practical handbook for teaching psychological research methods. The book

• Discusses in detail many of the challenges and dilemmas that instructors often face when teaching this demanding course
• Covers a wide range of topics - from pedagogical considerations and course preparation to reflection and course revision
• Offers alternative strategies for teaching research methods with practical suggestions for their implementation
• Accessible and informative to all current and future research methods instructors, from graduate assistants to seasoned classroom veterans

Series Editor’s Preface.

Preface.

Acknowledgments.

1. An Introduction to Psychological Research Methods: Course Content and Pedagogical Considerations.

2. Getting Ready to Teach.

3. Teaching Psychology as a Science.

4. Ethical Considerations in Psychological Research: Teaching Issues.

5. Teaching Reliability and Validity.

6. Teaching the Distinction between Experimental and Nonexperimental Research Methods.

7. Teaching the Relation between Statistics and Research Methods.

8. Teaching the Distinction between Large-N and Small-N Research Designs.

9. The Laboratory as Teaching Tool.

10. Innovative Approaches to Teaching Research Methods.

11. Reflection and Revision.

Appendix: Professional Development Resources in the Teaching of Psychology.

Index.

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“This is a clear, concise, comprehensive guide for those who teach research methods in psychology. Saville's style is upbeat and easy to read, and his presentation is well organized and nicely documented. Recommended.” (Choice Reviews, October 2008) Bryan K. Saville is Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology at James Madison University. In 2002, Saville received the McKeachie Early Career Award for excellence in teaching from the Society for the Teaching of Psychology (Division 2 of the American Psychological Association). From 2003 to 2006, he coedited E-xcellence in Teaching, a monthly e-column devoted to the teaching of psychology. A Guide to Teaching Research Methods in Psychology provides instructors with a practical handbook for teaching psychological research methods. The book covers a wide range of topics and examines in detail many of the challenges and dilemmas that instructors often face when teaching this demanding course. From pedagogical considerations and course preparation to reflection and course revision—and everything in between—Saville discusses ways to make the research methods course more effective and enjoyable for instructors and students alike. This accessible and informative book will be a valuable resource for all current and future research methods instructors, whether graduate assistants or seasoned classroom veterans. "Saville's A Guide to Teaching Research Methods in Psychology is an invaluable resource for both younger instructors who are just starting to teach this challenging course and for more experienced instructors who are interested in fine tuning their approach to research methods. The handbook is well-written and is full of valuable ideas that are easy to incorporate into your course. I've been teaching research methods to psychology students for the past 13 years and Saville’s book has truly inspired me to incorporate many of his ideas into my own course."
–Jeffrey S. Anastasi, Sam Houston State University

"Bryan Saville has provided an immense service to those of us who teach research methods courses by offering a well-spring of advice for teaching challenging methodological topics and managing this complex course. Even for those of us who have taught methods for many years, A Guide to Teaching Research Methods in Psychology is an invaluable resource."
–Mark R. Leary, Duke University